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| 17 Sep 2025 | |
| Ukraine | |
| Global Teacher Prize |
Hosted by First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelensky, the 5th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen took place in Kyiv in September, focused on the theme of “Education Shaping the World.”
The gathering brought together First Ladies and Gentlemen, Nobel laureates, education ministers, teachers, and leading global thinkers to highlight education’s role as a foundation for peace, equality, and sustainable development. Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability and conflict, participants emphasised that education remained the only universal tool capable of shaping future generations, building resilient societies, and preventing wars.
As guests of our Ukraine National Teacher Prize partner, Osvitoria, Global Teacher Prize winners Maggie MacDonnell and Peter Tabichi, alongside Top 10 finalist Debora Garofalo, travelled to Kyiv in person. They featured as keynote speakers at the Summit, as well as taking part in workshops for Ukrainian and international teachers, and visiting Ukrainian schools to give lessons to local educators.
The core message of the summit was clear: “Education shapes the individual who shapes the world.” Ukraine positioned itself as a centre of global leadership by initiating dialogue on education as a prerequisite for peace. Key themes included equal access to education regardless of gender, background, or circumstances; the balance between technology and ethics in learning; the transformative role of teachers; and education’s capacity to promote peace, dialogue, and humanitarian values.
Distinctive features of the summit included the participation of outstanding teachers from around the world, Nobel Prize laureates in peace and science delivering lectures at Ukrainian universities, and contributions from ministers of education. The program featured panel discussions, TED-style talks, ministerial dialogues, an exhibition on innovation, and the presentation of a new international study on education conducted in partnership with leading research institutions.